Sign



Feb. 26, 1929.

SIGN

Filed April 16, 1923 ZTZTJZZmzzZZ'on warn gays E. E. HAMILTON 1,703,857

Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

' UNITED STATES EDWARD'E. HAMILTON, or WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGN.

Application filed April 16, 1923. Serial lie/632,102.

This invention relates to a sign having removable or-detachable characters so that the sign can be set up in various ways and prices can be changed and only a single kind of character may be required for making thechanges. V

The invention also has for an object the provision of a neat, durable, attractive sign of such form and material that any soiling 1c of the same can be removed very easily by Wiping it off with a Wet cloth, thus providing a device which will be clean and attractive and can not get into such condition as the ordinary paper signs and that can be is changed at will. 7

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front view of one form of sign constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fi 2 is a similar view of another form in w ich the invention can be used;

Fig. 3 is a front view; of one of the characters removed from the sign; and

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the same. The invention is shown in Fig. 1 in a form in which the characters are all not only detachable but replaceable in any position without regard to the position in which they were originally applied to the sign. In this case the main body'or plate of the sign consists of a flat sheet 10 of celluloid, preferably of a light and attractive color. This has no mechanical features except a series of slits 11. These slits are arranged in pairs all the slits being of the same length and all spaced equally apart and there being two series of them across the sign.

Each of the characters is in the form of a piece 12 of celluloid of a sharpl contrasting color cut out to the form 0 the letter or figure and being in addition provided with two or more tabs 13 at the ends. One of these letters is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The tabs 13 constitute projections beyond the visible portion of the character. They project in opposite directions and from any desired part of the bottom and top of the character. They are also offset at 14 so tabs will rest against the back of the sign or plate 10 while the character rests on the front without distorting it. y

In this form, on account of having the slits of equal length and accurately spaced, the letters can be applied in the proper posithat when applied through the slits 11 the tion and spaced correctly by moving them along so as to look like ordinary printing except that especially thin letters like the letter I will'be spaced. a little widely and long letters like IV may havetobe slightly crowded. But letters and figures wider at the. bottom than at the top or vice versa, like the letters A and L shown in Fig. 1 can be applied .in a very. simple manner. For example, the letter L has its tabs 13, one at the top of the vertical portion which make it come at one edge of the letter and the other centrally located on the bottom portion. But these two tabs will conveniently pass into a pair of opposite slits and hold the letter properly in position. A letter like A has one tab at the top and two at the bottom. The latter two are passed into the same slit at its ends.

In the form shown in Fig. 2, the characters themselves can be the same or modified somewhat, if desired. Here the plate 20 is provided with slits 21 but they are not spaced equally apart or of equal lengths. They are arranged in accordance with the letters that are goin to be placed on the Sign. For example, the letter L shown on this sign will be placed on it initspro er position if the upper slit 21 is considera ly at the left of the lower slit 21 for'that letter. The letter A also requires three slits instead of two. In this Sign the letter D is the normal letter and letters which are symmetrical are provided with their tabs at exactly opposite points and substantially equally spaced from the sides as is the case with the numeral 1 and the letter E also shown in this figure. Otherwise, this sign is formed similar to the other but it cannot be changed so easily. In this particular sign it is intended that the words, as for example, Pure lard are to be permanent, while the figures indicating the price are to be changed. For that reason the slits in which the tabs of these figures are inserted are made longer than the others and this part of this sign is made like Fig. 1. A permanent letter .C is shown on this sign and represents cents.

In either case this provides a very neat sign visible at long distances if contrasting shades of celluloid are used for the letters and the plate. The interchangeability of the letters is a very important feature. The fact that the parts are made of celluloid which can be cleaned off so easily is also important because this permits of the use-0f the signs for along'time-always appearing-fresh and clean. The sign is Very: durable because it does not become permanently discolored.

Both the characters and the plate can befrom them and permanently in a. different used over and over. V

Althoughl have illustrated and described only two forms ofvthe inventiom-I am aware of the fact/that other modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without dep'artingirom the scope of the invention as expressed in the claim;

- Therefore, I do not Wish to be limited to all'the details of construction herein shown and described but What I do claim'is As an article of manufacture, a sign 7 formed of sheetcelluloid and comprising a main plate having two series of parallel slits, andajset of independently detachable flat characters formed of sheetcelluloid of a contrasting color each having the outline of the respective character, each having one or more tabs at the top and bottom projecting parallel plane and extending outwardly away from the characters, whereby a plurality of tabs at one end of'certain characters are adapted to beinserted in one of the slits Without distorting the characters, l'eaV- ing the characters in one side of the plate and the tabs in the otheryprojecting outwardly.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

I I EDWARD E. HAMILTON. 

